Black Tie Affair

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.

When you go to an awards show, you don't dress like a scrub.

Obv.

A while back my friend Shaun invited me to The Stranger Genius Awards at The Moore Theater.

I was ecstatic. I was envisioning red carpet, champagne, tuxedos and maybe even some sugar plum fairies.

While there were exceptions, what I got for the most part was flannel, Birkenstocks, and just plain old regular fairies.

Shame on you, Seattle. Would it kill you look like you give a shit every now and then?

This is what we wore:





Shaun always looks dapper and seems to shop exclusively at Lucky Vintage, Red Light and Goodwill. Of course, Lucky and Red Light are just glorified Goodwills with the sorting done for you, which you end up paying for.

The metallic feathering on my dress (also from Lucky Vintage) is actually meant to go above the shoulder, as it's just above the arm hole (hidden here by the feathers).

Velvet Dress: $35, Lucky Vintage
Feather Detail Pumps: $99 ($900!), Nina Ricci, Nordstrom Rack

Indian Summer

I wore this dress a ton this summer- the heavy vest is a great way to transition it into fall.




Denisa Silk Chiffon Dress: $65 (300), Joie, Nordstrom Rack

Also. I rediscovered this little gem and have been rocking out all morning:

outfit no. 16

Flower Dress: $29 (49), by & from Free People
Lace Top: $48 (98), same
Flannel: Thrifted
Darth Vadar Costume: Apparently "very, very expensive"

outfit no. 14

Tunic: $39, Isaac Mizrahi, Target

favorite dress

I have a lot of favorite dresses. Every dress I own is probably a favorite. (I'd guess I own around 8 white lace dresses; I'm a sucker for anything that makes me feel like a pretty lady). But this is my favorite favorite dress.

I'm also a sucker for red cowboy boots.

I bought these boots -a favorite of elderly women everywhere I go- on one of those afternoons that I missed my bus and had to walk home on The Ave. It doesn't translate well in the photo, but the shaft is suede and the threading is actually glittery.







I have an extra long white canvas bag (my "Ecuador bag") that I always wear with this dress, but for whatever reason my photographer (ha)held onto it for the photo.

I think the lace is too pretty for jewelry, but sometimes I'll wear it with white sandals and a long, red, glass-beaded necklace that a friend got for me in Germany.

Dress: $27, Forever 21 :)
Boots: $30, Lucky Vintage

outfit no. 10

I've really been pushing for spring by wearing dresses whenever it's sunny, but just because I push for it doesn't make it any less freezing. I combat the cold temps with tights, wool socks, cardigans and, of course, my wool cape coat.

Extra long tank: $10, Michael Stars, Marshall's
Dress: $10, F21
Headband: $10 (18), Urban
Tights: $14, Urban

this dress would look great on you!

I have this dress in three different colors, and I'm convinced it would look great on anyone.

At least, anyone who reads this blog.

I don't wear this cardigan with jeans or leggings. Because it's so frumpy, bare legs contrast it well. I also wouldn't wear it with dresses or skirts that are (significantly) longer than it.

Norwegian Cardigan: $12, Goodwill
Dress: $36, American Apparel

pink nostalgia

I don't understand why anyone would waste such a pretty fabric on such a boring silhouette, but I do understand why there are about 150 of these still at H & M. After pinching the top center of the dress down while in the fitting room this past Thursday, I decided it wouldn't be that difficult to do a little improving.

In my attempt to create more of a sweetheart bust, I cut the straps off and used a safety pin to tuck in the top center. (It really wouldn't be difficult to hand-stitch this section together). The material is reminiscent of swishy '50s prom dresses, and I think the new neckline really enhances that vintage appeal, even if the length clearly says otherwise.

In one photo I'm wearing black pumps to complement the bit of ruffled bra showing, but otherwise I think a fur coat and vintage-inspired shoes would look great; with dresses this short, I'm always cautious (as in I don't wear them) when it comes to stilettos.

Dress: $15! (40), H & M
Bra: $10, Oscar de la Renta, Ross

nye dress

I found this dress at Bebe and bought it (well, this and a few other things) for my birthday at the end of October. I'm a club member at Bebe (if you plan on shopping here more than once in a year, I would recommend joining; you get all kinds of discounts, $10 for every $100 you spend, and there are no annoying emails. And it's free!) and got a courtesy call letting me know that everything in the store would be 25% off this particular weekend, so I hightailed my hynie to Pacific Place and paid $100, even though I knew it would eventually go on sale. I knew this because EVERYTHING I buy goes on sale, and since I can usually wait things out, I never pay full price. (This dress is on sale as I type this for $69. But I needed it BEFORE New Year's, not after. Obv.)

For a more sophisticated (but just as sexy) look, I'd pair the pumps with a black pair of opaque thigh-highs, and push my hair back completely with a wide, plain black headband, bringing all attention to the detail at the bust. Because the top is so strappy, I would stay away from any kind of strappy stilettos and stay with close-toed pumps. For this same reason, I would avoid accessorizing; bracelets and necklaces would only detract and make for a less polished look. If you really want to add something extra, try a few black rings or black or pale pink nail polish.

I wore this with a faux fur bolero from F21 ($30) and a no-brand, bone colored clutch that I've had forever. Fur is a quick way to make any outfit more glamorous, whether it's distressed denim or a gown, and it's so warm! Express has a great sale going on right now on all their faux fur (which has bright pink satin lining!); vintage stores are great as well, if you don't mind real fur.

Suede Pumps: $45, Shiek
Floppy bow Headband: $4, Forever 21